If you are planning your holidays to Portugal, you probably already heard about the famous Benagil sea caves. They are located in Algarve, the Southern part of Portugal. One question a lot of people seem to be asking themselves is how to get from Lisbon to Benagil. In fact, many people arrive in Lisbon or want to visit Lisbon and Benagil on the same trip. This is why we decided to make a blogpost about how to get from Lisbon to Benagil!
Only because you prefer staying in a big city doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on the famous Benagil cave! Portugal is not that big a country, and it is quite easy to get from Lisbon to Benagil. We will present to you the best options of how to get from Lisbon to Benagil.
It is possible to do this is a day tour. However, if you can spare one night, it is much more relaxed if you take your time and make it a two-day trip. But that’s just a recommendation. 🙂
Here are the options for how to get from Lisbon to Benagil, or better, to some of the locations out trips to Benagil depart from:
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Bus from Lisbon to Benagil
This is the cheapest and probably the easiest option to get from Lisbon to Benagil. There are numerous bus companies to choose from and they all offer more or less the same service at the same prices.
If you go on renex.pt, you can choose Lisbon Sete Rios or Lisbon Oriente as your starting point. The easiest is to go to Lagoa (careful, LagoA not LagoS). The direct bus drive takes a bit over 3 hours and costs around 20€. There is a bathroom on board and the busses have air conditioning and are very comfortable.
From Lagoa, you can grab a taxi for about 10€ to Praia do Carvoeiro, Ferragudo or Praia de Benagil. There you can get on one of the boat tours, kayak tours or SUP Tours to Benagil. We have a lot to choose from! We also have departures from Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira and Vilamoura. Just check what’s easiest for you or what town appeals most to you.
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Train from Lisbon to Benagil
The second option to get from Lisbon to Benagil is by train. On cp.pt you have a few more starting points in Lisbon to choose from, so it is more likely that you have one close to your hotel or accommodation. You can go to Estombar-Lagoa by train too. However, you have to change trains in Tunes.
The train takes only around 3,5 hours and the price is only a few euros higher than if you choose to go by bus. Once you get to the train station in Lagoa, you can get a taxi to Praia do Carvoeiro or Praia do Benagil. From here a taxi will cost you around 10-15€.
The train is also a great option to consider when you plan on how to get from Lisbon to Benagil. It’s easy, comfortable and you get to see some beautiful landscapes along the way.
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Rental Car from Lisbon to Benagil
If you are travelling with more people or just want to be more independent, renting a car for a day might be a good option for you to get from Lisbon to Benagil. In Lisbon, there are numerous car rental companies to choose from.
During high season, prices per day for a rental car start at around 50-55€. In low season, you can rent cars a lot cheaper. Just be aware that a lot of car rental companies ask for a deposit of 1.000€ on your credit card.
If you choose to rent a car to get from Lisbon to Benagil, you have two options: You take the long route on the national road which will take you about 5 hours. Or you can go on the freeway, where you have to pay tolls but you only take about 2,5-3 hours. To get from Lisbon to Benagil and back, you will be charged around 50€ for tolls.
For the tolls on the freeway, you can either get a transponder in your rental car for a small extra fee. That’s the easiest way because you don’t have to worry about anything and just pay the toll on the rental car company. If you don’t get a transponder, you can pay the tolls 2 days after driving on the freeway in a payshop. For this, you just need to have your license plate and then you pay with your bank card in the payshop or at a post office.
Another alternative are the private transfers. A private driver will pick you up where and when you want and take you to your destination in Portugal. We recommend RobustPerfection, with a “perfect” transfer service all around Portugal.
These are the three best options when it comes to how to get from Lisbon to Benagil. It’s up to you which one suits you best! The Benagil caves are definitely worth a visit! Whichever way you decide to get there, we wish you a great trip and a lot of fun!We have several departure point for the tours to the Benagil caves: Praia do Carvoeiro, Ferragudo or Praia de Benagil. There you can get on one of the boat tours, kayak tours or SUP Tours to Benagil. We have a lot to choose from! We also have boat trip departures from Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira and Vilamoura.
Good article! My friends and I were in Portugal last summer. It is worth noting that in Europe you will have difficulties with cars if you are under 25. For this, if you do not want to go 5 hours by bus, you can book your car in advance at14Cars Portugal
thanks for your sharing,I really look forward to our journey
Hi,
I will be visiting Portugal mid December this year and will have a few questions on tours to see the Benagil caves:
1. I understand that the sea condition is unpredictable in December and many people said that winter s not a good time to visit the Benagil caves, can I know in general what is the probability of the tours being cancelled due to weather conditions in December? I will be doing a day trip from Lisbon and so if will be a waste of travelling time if the trip is cancelled due weather conditions. Just want to access if it is worth taking the risk?
2. For boat trips I understand that you cannot go onshore in the caves, only through kayak or SUP tours. However in Dec, is it safer and more comfortable to do the boat trip though we cannot go onshore?
3. I understand we can see the caves on land from above as well, is it worth seeing the caves from above and if I want to do that too, where should I start the tour with you so I can also see both the caves from above on land as well as in the caves?
4. Can I have the price list for the different tours from the different start locations? Of I will also like to see other caves or rock formations besides the Benagil caves.
Thanks!